Monthly Archives: September 2010

Just seems like recalls of children’s products can’t stay out of the news. Or our lives. As a parent, it’s upsetting. When I purchased/purchase items for my daughter, I do research and make the best informed decision I can. I especially look at things like “is this a reputable company” or “have they been in business a long time?”. I read parent reviews, educator reviews, expert reviews sometimes (depending on the product). And yet, it doesn’t seem to make a difference. You could buy something for $10 or $1000 and have the same chances now. I hope any manufacturer in the baby/child market really takes a hard look at how and where they are manufacturing their products and the possible effect cutting corners may have in the future.

Fisher-Price launches big recall

By Samantha Maziarz ChristmannNEWS BUSINESS REPORTER

Fisher-Price has issued a recall for more than 10 million tricycles, high chairs and other products that pose safety hazards to children.

The massive recall, which Fisher-Price said today will shave a penny off its earnings per share in the third quarter, is the largest for toys since Congress passed a law two years ago beefing up the product-safety regulator’s powers.

Fisher-Price Little People Wheelies Stand ‘n Play Rampway toys. The wheels on each can come loose, posing a choking hazard.

“We want to reassure parents that our products are overwhelmingly safe,” Fisher-Price spokeswoman Juliette Reashor said in a statement. “If we see an issue with a product at any point, even after many have been sold and used safely, we take appropriate action.”

Conversation around the dinner table getting staler than that tuna casserole you’ve been reheating for 3 days in a row? Well, 24/7 Moms has a great feature on their bog each day: Table Talk. She provides a question to get the conversation started at dinner and also a fun riddle to share with the family.

Here’s a sample of some of her Table Talk:

Q: If you could meet a person from history, who would it be?

Riddle:
Q: What has roots that nobody sees, and is taller than trees?
A: A mountain

Fall is upon us, and with it starts the usual round of apple picking, pumpking picking, hayrides, corn mazes and more. Looking for great places in your county in which to take your family? Well The Playground Guide has it. They have listings for Morris, Bergen, Sussex and Warren counties.

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been making meals for my family based on recipes I read about/found on the Internet. Gotta tell you, not a one of them has been bad! I’ll start with my favorite one this week: Baked Lemon Pasta. I love lemon pasta/lemon chicken. So this was right up my alley.

The recipe is from Ree Drummond, knowns as The Pioneer Woman. Fantastic website and she has a fantastic cookbook out. Four stars to The Pioneer Woman in our house! Hope you try it and enjoy it just as much as we did. (I will admit, I did cut the butter down some.) I can’t wait to make it again.

Oh, Chasing-Fireflies. You’ve done it to me again. I longingly flip through each page of your catalog going “I love that” or “I want that.” And then I look at your prices. Sigh…

I’m in love with this pink roses bouquet dress. How lovely for the holidays? The downside? $118. Sorry, I just don’t have that kind of discretionary cash to spend on an almost three-year old. But a girl can dream, right? (If I knew how to sew, I fancy I could make something similar)

Super cute, right?

They do have a lot of super cute little items that won’t blow your budget. I don’t mean to rain on their parade, I do heart them much!

Go check out their website at Chasing-Fireflies and make sure you sign up for their catalog! Then you too can lay on your couch dreaming about outfitting your special little person in beautiful garments.

If you’ve been listening to the radio or watching TV, then surely you know about the Katy Perry flap on Sesame Street. The issue centers around her outfit. I have to say, after seeing the pictures of the ample popstars outfit, I have to agree. It’s a lot of boobie for first thing in the morning. And while I don’t consider myself a prude, I do think it’s not appropriate for kids or for Sesame Street in general. If you want your kids looking at sexed up actresses or singers, there are a million other ways to do that. MTV for one. Sesame Street means safety, appropriateness, rated G. I’m surprised that they put her in such an outfit. It wasn’t safe, appropriate or rated G. I think they made the right move pulling the duet. I think the wardrobe department needs a reminder of who their audience is. (And just a hint, it’s not the mommies or the daddies!).

What do you think? Was it too much for Sesame Street? Did they do the right thing? Or is that what parenting is for? To say “that’s inappropriate for my child” and turn the TV off? Or maybe a little of both?

WASHINGTON – Drugmaker Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday it is recalling millions of containers of its best-selling Similac infant formula that may be contaminated with insect parts.

The voluntary action affects up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. The company said the products may contain a small beetle or larvae, which could cause stomach ache and digestion problems.

The recall does not affect any liquid formulas or other Abbott-brand products.

A company spokeswoman said Abbott uncovered the insects last week in one section of a manufacturing plant in Sturgis, Michigan.

“We immediately shut down that one area and began an investigation,” said Abbott’s Melissa Brotz. “We’re in the process of resolving it now.” Abbott manufactures Similac at several U.S. sites.

Brotz said the company has been consulting with the Food and Drug Administration, which determined there was no “immediate health risk” from the contamination.